"The Austin band Blue Bear unabashedly wears its influences on its sleeve. When listening to their harmonious and melodic music, one can hear traces of Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, and Band of Horses and they won’t even try to deny it. One might even go so far as to say they are Austin’s version of one of the aforementioned bands—a Texas version." --Ray Greenblatt, The Austinist "Earthy and layered with a warm yet urgent vibe, Blue Bear isn’t the only scruffy-but-sophisticated pack of indie-rockers casting their lot in the always-crowded Austin music scene. But, even at less than two years of existence, they may be one of the most promising, stacking melody upon melody with the sort of rootsy grace often attributed to their heroes (Fleet Foxes and the Decemberists among them). The occasional rockabilly-inspired guitar lick, folksy cover, or twangy harmony might give a little rustic texture to their music, but overall the Blue Bear collective is among the most forward-looking bands to occasionally cross paths with the Americana singer/songwriter scene in modern Texas." --Mike Ethan Messick, "Under the Radar," Texas Music Scene "Meet Blue Bear, a five-piece indie folk band based in Austin, Texas. Blue Bear draws influence and inspiration from Grizzly Bear, Fleet Foxes, and Band Of Horses and have the warm and beautiful sound to match. The band’s latest single, “Cold Train Ride” captures the outfit brandishing layered melodies and smooth vocals as they run through 4-part harmonies and funky riffs with ease. Although the band only played their first show last February (2012), they have quickly gone on to win the hearts of both their local scene and fans of some of their biggest influences. Snowy Mountain Reserve, their debut EP saw the band as they ran through tracks full of textures and varying tones. There’s no doubt in the thought that the band has a core of folk influence and it speaks through each track in it’s own unique way." --Briana Boyd, Unsigned & Unleashed